Gurkeerat Singh Mann

At the age of nine, a boy staying near PCA stadium in Mohali got obsessed with the sound of ball on bat. Thus began a dream which came to life when he was selected in the ODI squad against the visiting Proteas in 2015. Talk about Gurkeerat Singh Mann and here's someone who just goes about his business without too much fuss. Who knows his limitations, and how to maximize his potential with what he has.

Gurkeerat rose up the ranks from various U-19 and U-22 competitions for Punjab. He was part of the CK Nayudu winning U-22 team. And as performances started weighing up, came the IPL contract from Kings XI Punjab in 2012.

India's chief selector Sandeep Patil lauded the Punjab lad's all-round ability while speaking about his selection. It so happens that he is a handy off-spinner as well who can chip in with a few useful overs. The right-handed batsman made his ODI debut during India's tour Down Under in 2016 but was not a regular in the side post that series.

IPL through the years

A journeyman from Punjab, Gurkeerat's IPL career began with his home-based franchise, Kings XI Punjab, in 2012. In only his second game playing for the franchise, came a match-winning 12-ball 29 in a run-chase. Always a part of the fringe, his cameos were useful in the larger context of the match. His ability to hit big and long and his useful off-breaks, coupled with his fielding abilities - makes him an attractive package for any franchise. In fact, his catch to dismiss Ross Taylor was voted as the 'catch of the tournament' in 2013.

After five rather uneventful seasons with his home franchise, Gurkeerat was bought by Delhi Daredevils in the 2018 auctions - but was left to warm the bench. After six years of staying with northern Indian franchises, Mann found a home in the south ahead of the 2019 season, with the Royal Challengers splashing 50 lakhs for his services.